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Canucks blue-liner Aaron Miller to have abdominal surgery

VANCOUVER (CP) - New Vancouver Canucks defenceman Aaron Miller will undergo minor abdominal surgery on Tuesday, one day before the opening of training camp.

Miller, who signed a one-year, US$1.5-million contract as an unrestricted free agent this summer, is expected to rejoin the Canucks during the pre-season, general manager Dave Nonis said in a statement.

"After further consultation with our medical team, it was decided that surgery was the best course of action," Nonis said. "It is expected that Aaron will make a full recovery in two weeks."

Miller, who recently turned 36, played all 82 games last season with Los Angeles but missed an average of 35 games over the three previous years. The 12-year NHL veteran and 2002 U.S. Olympian is slated to be part of the Canucks' third defensive pairing with Lukas Krajicek.